Learning management system for a real-time simulated virtual reality welding training environment

Abstract

A learning management system (LMS) for tracking student progress as students learn how to weld in a real-time, simulated, virtual reality welding training environment. Systems and methods to help welding instructors and students manage the data associated with instruction and learning in a virtual reality welding environment are provided. Welding student training data generated by students while using virtual reality welding systems is stored in a centralized database. The centralized database is accessible by a user (e.g., a welding instructor) using a personal computer having a learning management software application (LMSA) installed thereon. The LMSA is configured to allow the user to access at least a portion of the student training data for one or more of viewing, analysis, grading, and reporting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A learning management system comprising:
 at least one virtual reality welding system configured to generate student training data in response to at least one student performing at least one virtual welding process on the at least one virtual reality welding system;   a database server system configured to receive and store the student training data; and   a personal computer having a learning management software application (LMSA) installed thereon, wherein the learning management software application (LMSA) comprises executable computer instructions configured to execute on the personal computer to perform one or more of:   downloading the student training data from the at least one virtual reality welding system to the personal computer in at least one of a wired or wireless manner,   uploading the student training data, analysis results, and reports from the personal computer to the database server system via an external communication infrastructure, and   downloading the student training data from the database server system to the personal computer via an external communication infrastructure.   
     
     
         2 . The learning management system of  claim 1 , further comprising an external communication infrastructure. 
     
     
         3 . The learning management system of  claim 2 , wherein the external communication infrastructure includes one or more of the internet, a cellular communication network, a WiFi communication network, or a satellite communication network. 
     
     
         4 . The learning management system of  claim 1 , wherein the learning management software application (LMSA) further comprises executable computer instructions configured to execute on the personal computer to analyze the student training data and generate the analysis results and the reports. 
     
     
         5 . The learning management system of  claim 1 , wherein the learning management software application (LMSA) further comprises executable computer instructions configured to generate at least one grade for at least one welding student based on at least a portion of the student training data. 
     
     
         6 . The learning management system of  claim 1 , wherein the learning management software application (LMSA) further comprises executable computer instructions configured to identify, based on at least a portion of the student training data, any welding skills that a welding student is having trouble mastering. 
     
     
         7 . The learning management system of  claim 1 , wherein the learning management software application (LMSA) further comprises executable computer instructions configured to compare welding performance of two or more welding students based on at least a portion of the student training data. 
     
     
         8 . The learning management system of  claim 1 , wherein the learning management software application (LMSA) provides instructional welding lessons and materials for one or more of welding students and welding instructors. 
     
     
         9 . The learning management system of  claim 1 , wherein the student training data includes information related to welding parameters including at least one of contact tip to work distance, weld angle, travel angle, and travel speed as affected by a welding student during a virtual welding process. 
     
     
         10 . The learning management system of  claim 1 , wherein the student training data includes information related to at least one of a welding student name, a date and time of a virtual welding process performed by a welding student, default tolerances used during a virtual welding process, technique parameter scores based on a welding procedure specification (WPS), a welding pass number and a weld score per pass, an average of weld score passes, an overall score, a welding process and technique used, a joint configuration and position, discontinuities and percent, number of welds completed per joint configuration, data for return-on-investment reporting, student arc time, student material usage, student simulator time, and results of virtual reality destructive testing. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 accessing a database server system using a personal computer having a learning management software application (LMSA) installed thereon;   downloading student training data from the database server system to the personal computer using the LMSA, wherein the student training data derives from one or more virtual welding processes performed on one or more virtual reality welding systems; and   analyzing the student training data using the LMSA to determine a welding performance of one or more welding students associated with the student training data.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the LMSA to select graded joint configurations from a list to create a grade book for a class. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the LMSA to enter welding projects and assignments, that are not derived directly from a virtual reality welding system, for data manipulation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the LMSA to apply pricing to data to determine a cost savings. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the LMSA to organize student data by one or more of class, period, or shift. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the LMSA to measure student improvement between two welding exercises or points in time. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the LMSA to generate pass/fail indications based on a cutoff score input by a welding instructor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the LMSA to add performance comments to a report for a welding student. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the LMSA to generate a report card and select items to be included or excluded from the report card for a welding student. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the LMSA to generate printable reports by one or more of welding student, welding class, or time frame. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the LMSA to archive final welding class results to the database server system. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the LMSA to create and track virtual certifications as acquired by welding students performing to determined levels on welding exercises. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 using the LMSA to enter real world welding data generated during a real-world welding process performed by a first student welder using a real-world welding machine; and   using the LMSA to compare the real-world welding data to at least a portion of the student training data associated with the first student welder.